Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-09-08
Saint Mafg's Beacon.

SUPERSTITION IL ISDIA.-The Pc
pul trees in India are supposed to be
the favorite resorts for such departed
spirits as, from various causes, have
not yet been clothed with new bodies.
The natives put lighted lamps in the
earthen pots, which are suspended
from the branches of the trees, 30 that
as they express 1.-THE souls Of
their relatives may be in light.
From time immemorial it has been
their custom, when one of the family
dies, to suspend an earthen pot from
a pepul tree, and for ten successive
days to bring offerings OF water and
rice. with a lighted lamp. for the ben
eft Of the departed. On the tenth
day, the pot is broken and feast is
made for the Brahmins.
In Calcutta feasts Of this character
are often gwen. A wealthy merchant
cnce made one for the benefit Of bis
deceased mother. The number Of
guests was estimated at two hundred
thousand, and the expense Of the feast,
together with the presents made, was
estimated at seventy-fve thousand
dollars.
Ceremonies for the repose OF the
soul are exceedingly numerous in this
strange land, and the efficacy of the
same in some instances for the benefit
Of the deceased relatives is supposed
to depend very much upon the place
where it is performed.
Here is a very singular ceremony
The son Of deceased person procures
one. male and four female calves.
These are tied to the FIVE posts Of the
altar, constructed for the occasion.
Four learned Brahmias sit on the four
sides of the altar and offer burnt sac.
rfce. A fifth Brahmin reads certain
passages in the "Shasters to drive
away evil spirits. The son washes
the tail Of the male calf, and with the
same water presents drink offering
to his deceased ancestors. The male
and female calves are then gravely
united in wedlock. During the mar
riage ceremony many formulas are re-
peated, in which the parties are re-
commended to cultivate love and mu-
tual sympathy.
The Brahmins, having performed
the duties Of their sacred office, are
dismissed with presents, including the
four brides; but the bridegroom is
dedicated to Shiva-acco.ding TO Hin
doc mythology, the husband Of Kali
and allowed to run at large until
old age carries him off.
These vagrant calves may almost
he said to constitute one Of the nj.
merous orders of religious mendican:s,
or holy beggars. AS no provision is
made for their daily wants, and as
they are under the necessity OF secur-
ing their living, they become very
cunning, and are scarcely less impu.
dent than the bipeds constituting the
other orders of the fraternity.
1t is not uncommon for them to
walk up unbidden to the stalls where
vegetables are for sale and help them
selves. Being esteemed sacred, the
poor, deluded inhabitants dare to use
only the most gentle means of Kidding
themselves Of their Improbable Gus
toners.
During the first year or two these
cattle fare rather scantily, but after
having learned their sacred functions
they live well, and are the latest and
best looking OF all the animals to be
seen in Hindostan.
The Shasters teach that the souls of
the departed are divided into five
classes. Those Of the first class reu-
mite with Brahm, the eternal spirit,
and thus lose their individuality. The
second are admitted to the various
heavens Of the gods. The third are
punished in places of torment. The
fourth again become the offspring Of
human parents. The fifth become
beasts. birds and insects. Hence,
should Hnidoo inhale an insect with
his breath, be knows not but, in so do.
ing, he has swallowed some departed
relative-possibly his own father.
There is one sect who to prevent 30
horrid catastrophe. wear strainer
over the mouth. Philadelphia Sat.
urday Night.